System and method to control wireless communications

ABSTRACT

A method of controlling wireless communications is provided. A call is received from a first mobile device at a base transceiver station (BTS) interface of a first distributed mobile architecture (DMA) server. The call is associated with a destination device. The first DMA server determines that a first distributed mobile architecture gateway (DMAG) supports communication with the destination device based on registration data stored at the first DMA server. Voice information associated with the call is converted to packet data. The packet data is routed to the destination device via the first DMAG.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims priority from and is a continuation ofpatent application Ser. No. 12/108,209 filed on Apr. 23, 2008 andentitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD TO CONTROL WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS,” thecontents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to controlling wirelesscommunications.

BACKGROUND

Access to telephony service is important for rural and isolatedcommunities. However, while urban areas typically offer a variety oftelephony services, such as landline, wireless, and broadband, ruralareas often have limited or no telephony services. For example, manyAsian countries have a penetration of four (4) telephone lines perone-hundred (100) inhabitants in urban areas, but a penetration of lessthan 0.2 per one-hundred (100) in rural areas. Access to telephonyservice is non-existent in some African countries and in some parts ofLatin America.

Current telephone systems are expensive to deploy. For example, atypical cellular system requires a mobile switching center (MSC), a basestation controller (BSC), and a home location register/visitor locationregister (HLR/VLR), collectively costing over two million dollars.Moreover, such a system requires a minimum of ten thousand users inorder to be economically viable. Many rural areas lack a populationlarge enough to support the installation of such a system. In addition,the environmental conditions in which the equipment, e.g., the MSC, BSC,and HLR/VLR, operates may be extremely harsh or cost-prohibitive todeploy. Alternatives, such as landline systems, are also expensive todeploy and face even more environmental restrictions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a system to controlwireless communications;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a system to controlwireless communications;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of a system to controlwireless communications;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a first method of controlling wirelesscommunications;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a second method of controlling wirelesscommunications;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a third method of controlling wirelesscommunications; and

FIG. 7 is an illustrative embodiment of data associated with adistributed mobile architecture gateway (DMAG).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A method includes receiving a call from a first mobile device at a basetransceiver station (BTS) interface of a first distributed mobilearchitecture (DMA) server. The call is associated with a destinationdevice. The method includes determining that determining that a firstdistributed mobile architecture gateway (DMAG) supports communicationwith the destination device based on registration data stored at thefirst DMA server. The method also includes converting voice informationassociated with the call to packet data. The method also includesrouting the packet data to the destination device via the DMAG.

In another embodiment, a method includes receiving a call from acommunication device at a distributed mobile architecture gateway (DMAG)via a network. The call is associated with a destination device. Themethod also includes determining that a first distributed mobilearchitecture (DMA) server supports wireless communication with thedestination device based on registration data stored at the DMAG. Themethod also includes converting information associated with the call topacket data and routing the packet data to the destination device viathe first DMA server.

In another embodiment, a computer-readable medium is disclosed. Thecomputer-readable medium includes instructions executable by aprocessor. The computer-readable medium includes instructions to receivea call from a communication device at a distributed mobile architecturegateway (DMAG). The call is associated with a destination device. Thecomputer-readable medium also includes instructions to determine that afirst distributed mobile architecture (DMA) server supportscommunication with the destination device based on registration datastored at the DMAG. The computer-readable medium also includesinstructions to convert information associated with the call to packetdata to be routed to the destination device via the first DMA server.

Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a system to control wirelesscommunications is illustrated and generally designated 100. The system100 includes one or more legacy networks 102 coupled to a distributedmobile architecture gateway (DMAG) 104. The one or more legacy networks102 may include one or more wide-area wireless communication networks,one or more landline communication networks, one or more local areanetworks (LANs), one or more wireless local area networks (WLANs), orany combination thereof. The DMAG 104 may receive one or more types oftraffic from the legacy networks 102. In FIG. 1, the DMAG 104 receiveswireless voice traffic 106, wireless data traffic 108, landline voicetraffic 110, landline data traffic 112, or any combination thereof fromthe legacy networks 102. The DMAG 104 routes voice traffic and datatraffic between the one or more legacy networks 102 and one or morewireless communication devices via one or more distributed mobilearchitecture (DMA) servers, such as a first representative DMA server116, a second representative DMA server 118, and a third representativeDMA server 120. In FIG. 1, the DMAG 104 routes voice traffic and datatraffic between the one or more legacy networks 102 and a firstrepresentative wireless communication device 122, a secondrepresentative wireless communication device 124, third representativewireless communication device 126, and a fourth representative wirelesscommunication device 128.

The wireless voice traffic 106 may be carried over a Global System forMobile Communications (GSM) network, a Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA) network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network, aUniversal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network, a PersonalCommunications Service (PCS) network, or any combination thereof.Signaling related to the wireless voice traffic 106 may be carried overa Signaling System 7 (SS7) network and may utilize an American NationalStandards Institute (ANSI) 41 protocol, a Mobile Application Part (MAP)protocol, or a Customized Application of Mobile Enhanced Logic (CAMEL)protocol. The wireless data traffic 108 may be carried over a GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS) network, an enhanced GPRS (EGPRS) network,an IEEE 802.16 network, a UMTS network, a High Speed Packet Access(HSPA) network, or any combination thereof. The wireless data traffic108 may be formatted according to Internet Protocol (IP). Additionally,wireless voice traffic may be carried over a wireless data trafficconnection 108 using a mobile Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)technology.

One or more landline communication networks may carry voice traffic 110,data traffic 112, or any combination thereof. The one or more landlinecommunication networks may carry landline voice traffic 110 over aPublic Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), an Integrated Services DigitalNetwork (ISDN), or any combination thereof. Signaling related to thelandline voice traffic 110 may be carried over an SS7 network and mayutilize an Integrated Service Digital Network User Part (ISUP) protocol.The landline data traffic 112 may be carried over a Digital SubscriberLine (DSL) network, an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network, anoptical fiber network, a coaxial cable network, or any combinationthereof. Landline voice traffic may also be carried over a landline datatraffic connection 112 using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Thelandline data traffic 112 may also be formatted according to InternetProtocol (IP).

The legacy networks 102 communicate the wireless voice traffic 106, thewireless data traffic 108, the landline voice traffic 110, the landlinedata traffic 112, or any combination thereof, to the DMAG 104. The DMAG104 is adapted to route voice traffic and data traffic between the oneor more legacy networks 102 and one or more wireless communicationdevices, such as the wireless communication devices 122, 124, 126 and128 via a private Internet Protocol (IP) network 114. The private IPnetwork 114 may include a landline IP network, a wireless IP network, orany combination thereof. For example, the DMAG 104 may route voicetraffic and data traffic between the one or more legacy networks 102 andthe first wireless communication device 122 and the second wirelesscommunication device 124 via the first DMA server 116. The DMAG 104 mayalso route voice traffic and data traffic between the one or more legacynetworks 102 and the third wireless communication device 126 via thesecond DMA server 118.

Additionally, the DMAG 104 may route voice traffic and data trafficbetween the wireless communication devices 122-128. For example, theDMAG 104 may route voice traffic and data traffic between wirelesscommunication devices served by the same DMA server. Further, the DMAG104 may route voice traffic and data traffic between wirelesscommunication devices served by different DMA servers. In anillustrative example, the DMAG 104 may route voice traffic and datatraffic between the third wireless communication device 126 and thefourth wireless communication device 128.

Each of the DMA servers 116-120 are adapted to route voice traffic, datatraffic, or any combination thereof, related to wireless communicationdevices served by the respective DMA server. For example, the DMAservers 116-120 may be adapted to route voice traffic and data trafficbetween wireless communication devices served by the same DMA server. Toillustrate, the first DMA server 116 may route voice traffic and datatraffic between the first wireless communication device 122 and thesecond wireless communication device 124. Additionally, the DMA servers116-120 may be adapted to route voice traffic and data traffic betweenthe wireless communication devices 122-128 served by different DMAservers. For example, the first DMA server 116 and the third DMA server120 may route voice traffic and data traffic between the first wirelesscommunication device 122 and the third wireless communication device126.

Each of the DMA servers 116-120 are adapted to send and receive voiceand data traffic using more than one type of wireless protocol. Forexample, each of the DMA servers 116-120 may send and receive voice anddata traffic using a Global System for Mobile (GSM) communicationsprotocol, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) protocol, a UniversalMobile Telephone System (UMTS) protocol, Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access (WiMAX) protocol, other wireless protocol, or anycombination thereof.

In operation, each of the DMA servers 116-120 sends and receives voiceand data traffic between at least two communications devices. When thesame DMA server serves the communications devices, then the DMA servermay route the call. Routing the call may include terminating the call ata destination communication device. The DMA server can support routing acall between different wireless technologies. For example, the first DMAserver 116 may route a call from the first wireless communicationsdevice 122 to the second wireless communications device 124, where thefirst wireless communications device 122 uses the GSM protocol while thesecond wireless communications device 122 uses the CDMA protocol.

When two DMA servers serve two wireless communications devices, the callmay be routed via an IP network or via a DMAG. In one illustrativeembodiment, the first DMA server 116 may route a call originating at thefirst wireless communications device 122 to the fourth wirelesscommunications device 128 via the IP network 114 and via the third DMAserver 120. When the DMAG 104 services two or more DMA servers, such asthe DMA servers 116-120, calls routed between the DMA servers 116-120may be routed via the IP network 114 without involving the DMAG 104.When a call is routed between the DMA servers 116 and 120 and the DMAG104 is not involved in routing the call, the routing is known as apeer-to-peer routing. In a second illustrative embodiment, the first DMAserver 116 may route a call originating at the first wirelesscommunications device 122 via the LP network 114 to the DMAG 104 and theDMAG 104 may route the call via the third DMA server 120 to the fourthwireless communications device 128. For example, the DMAG 104 may routethe call when the DMA server 120 is serviced by a second DMAG (notshown).

The DMA servers 116-120 also send and receive voice and data trafficfrom the wireless communication devices 122-128 to the legacy networks102. For example, a call originating at the first wirelesscommunications device 122 may be routed via the first DMA server 116 tothe legacy networks 102 via the IP network 114 and via the DMAG 104.

In a conventional system, providing wireless access via a specificwireless protocol to wireless communications devices typically requiresa base transceiver station (BTS), a base station controller (BSC) and aMobile Switching Center (MSC). To provide wireless access via more thanone wireless protocol typically requires a BTS, a BSC, and an MSC foreach wireless protocol. Even when the functionality of the BTS, BSC, andMSC is integrated into a single unit, each unit only provides wirelessaccess via a specific wireless protocol. For example, providing GSM,CDMA, and WiMAX typically requires the use of at least three units, witha first unit providing GSM access, a second unit providing CDMA access,and a third unit providing WiMAX access. In contrast, the system 100allows a single integrated unit to provide wireless access via more thanone wireless protocol. For example, a single integrated unit, such asthe first DMA server 116 may provide wireless access via more than onewireless protocol, such as GSM, CDMA, UMTS, and WiMAX. Each of the DMAservers 116-420 can support additional wireless protocols by adding anappropriate transceiver. For example, the first DMA server 116 mayprovide CDMA evolution data optimized (EVDO) access by adding atransceiver capable of providing CDMA-EVDO.

Referring to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of a system to control wirelesscommunications is illustrated and generally designated 200. The system200 includes distributed mobile architecture gateways (DMAGs) 202, 204,and 206. Each of the DMAGs 202-206 is coupled to one or more legacynetworks. For example, the first DMAG 202 is coupled to one or morelegacy networks 208, the second DMAG 204 is coupled to one or morelegacy networks 210, and the third DMAG 206 is coupled to one or morelegacy networks 212. Each of the legacy networks 208-212 may include oneor more landline networks, one or more wireless networks, or anycombination thereof, to carry voice traffic and/or data traffic to theDMAGs 202-206. Although the legacy networks 208-212 are shown asseparate boxes, the legacy networks 208-212 may include one or more ofthe same legacy networks. Alternatively, each of the DMAGs 202-208 mayserve as a backhaul to different legacy networks. To illustrate, the oneor more legacy networks 208 may include legacy landline voice and datanetworks, the one or more legacy networks 210 may include a particularwireless voice and data network, such as a time division multiple access(TDMA) network, and the one or more legacy networks 212 may includeanother wireless voice and data network, such as a code divisionmultiple access (CDMA) network.

Each of the DMAGs 202-206 may communicate via a private InternetProtocol (IP) network, such as the private IP networks 214-218. TheDMAGs 202-206 may communicate with each other via the private IPnetworks 214-218, with one or more groups of distributed mobilearchitecture (DMA) servers 220-224, or any combination thereof. Althoughthe private IP networks 214-218 are shown in FIG. 2 as separatenetworks, the private IP networks may represent either separate privateIP networks or a single private IP network.

In a particular embodiment, the first DMAG 202 controls communicationsrelated to the first group of DMA servers 220 via the first private IPnetwork 214. Additionally, the second DMAG 204 controls communicationsrelated to the second group of DMA servers 222 via the second private IPnetwork 216 and the third DMAG 206 control communications related to thethird group of DMA servers 224 via the third private IP network 218.Each of the DMA servers in a respective group of DMA servers maycommunicate with one or more wireless communication devices (not shown).

Each of the DMAGs 202-206 may control communications related to arespective group of DMA servers by routing voice traffic, data traffic,signaling, or any combination thereof, between the one or more legacynetworks 208-212 and one or more wireless communication devicescommunicating with the respective groups of DMA servers 220-224. In anillustrative embodiment, the second DMAG 204 is adapted to controlcommunications related to the second group of DMA servers 222. In FIG.2, the second group of DMA servers includes DMA server 230, DMA server232, DMA server 234, and DMA server 236. The second DMAG 204 may routevoice traffic, data traffic, signaling, or any combination thereof,between the one or more legacy networks 210 and one or more wirelesscommunication devices registered with the DMA servers 230-236 in thesecond group of DMA servers 222.

In an illustrative embodiment, each DMAG 202-206 may be specified by acommunications service provider as a primary node to control voicetraffic, data traffic, signaling, or any combination thereof, fordesignated DMA servers. For example, the second DMAG 204 may serve as aprimary node to control voice traffic, data traffic, signaling, or anycombination thereof, related to one or more of the DMA servers of thesecond group of DMA servers 222, such as the DMA servers 230-232.Additionally, the second DMAG 204 may control voice traffic, datatraffic, signaling, or any combination thereof, related to one or moreof the DMA servers of the second group of DMA servers 222 that haveroamed into a coverage area associated with the second DMAG 204, such asthe DMA servers 234-236.

Each DMA server of a particular group of DMA servers may be specified asa primary node for controlling communications related to one or moredesignated wireless communication devices. In addition, each DMA serverof a particular group of DMA servers may be adapted to controlcommunications related to one or more wireless communication devicesthat have roamed into a coverage area of a particular DMA server.Wireless communication devices may roam between DMA servers within aparticular group of DMA servers and wireless communication devices mayroam between DMA servers included in different groups of DMA servers. Inone example, when the DMA server 230 serves as a primary node for aparticular wireless communication device, the particular wirelesscommunication device can roam from the coverage area of the DMA server230 to a coverage area of the DMA server 232. In another example, whenthe DMA server 230 serves as a primary node for a particular wirelesscommunication device, the particular wireless communication device canroam into a coverage area of a DMA server of the third group of DMAservers 224.

In an illustrative embodiment, a DMA server, such as the DMA server 230may move from one group of DMA servers, such as the second group of DMAservers 222, to another group of DMA servers, while controllingcommunications related to one or more wireless communication devices inthe coverage area of the DMA server 230. In an example, one or morewireless communications devices in the coverage area of the DMA server230 when the DMA server 230 is included in the second group of DMAservers 222 may remain within the coverage area of the DMA server 230 bymoving along with the DMA server 230 to the third group of DMA servers224. Further, as the DMA server 230 moves to the third group of DMAservers 224, one or more additional wireless communication devices mayregister with the DMA server 230. In an illustrative, non-limitingembodiment, the second group of DMA servers 222 may be associated with acoverage area of the second DMAG 204 and the third group of DMA servers224 may be associated with a coverage area of the third DMAG 206.

Each particular DMAG 202-206 may be adapted to route communicationsbetween wireless communication devices in coverage areas of differentDMA servers of the respective group of DMA servers associated with theparticular DMAG. Additionally, each DMAG 202-206 may be adapted to routecommunications between wireless communication devices in the coveragearea of the same DMA server of the respective group of DMA serversassociated with the particular DMAG. In one example, the second DMAG 204may be adapted to route voice traffic, data traffic, or any combinationthereof, between wireless communication devices in the coverage area ofthe DMA server 230 and wireless communication devices in the coveragearea of the DMA server 232. In another example, the second DMAG 204 maybe adapted to route voice traffic, data traffic, or any combinationthereof, between wireless communication devices in the coverage area ofthe DMA server 230. Further, the DMAGs 202-206 may be adapted to controlcommunications between wireless communication devices in the coveragearea of a DMA server of one group of DMA servers and in the coveragearea of another DMA server of a different group of DMA servers. Toillustrate, the second DMAG 204 and the third DMAG 206 may be adapted toroute voice traffic, data traffic, or any combination thereof, between awireless communication device in the coverage area of the DMA server 230and a wireless communication device in the coverage area of a DMA serverof the third group of DMA servers 224.

In addition, each DMA server of a particular group of DMA servers may beadapted to route communications locally between wireless communicationdevices in the coverage area of the respective DMA server. For example,the DMA server 230 may be adapted to control voice traffic, datatraffic, or any combination thereof, related to one or more wirelesscommunication devices in the coverage area of the DMA server 230.Further, DMA servers included in a particular group of DMA servers maybe adapted to route communications between wireless communicationdevices in the coverage areas of the DMA servers of the same group ofDMA servers. To illustrate, the DMA server 230 and the DMA server 232may be adapted to control voice traffic, data traffic, or anycombination thereof, between wireless communication devices in thecoverage area of the DMA server 230 and wireless communication devicesin the coverage area of the DMA server 232. Additionally, DMA serversincluded in different groups of DMA servers may be adapted to routecommunications between wireless communication devices in coverage areasof the DMA servers included in the different groups. In an example, theDMA server 230 and a particular DMA server of the third group of DMAservers 224 may control voice traffic, data traffic, or any combinationthereof, between wireless communication devices in the coverage area ofthe DMA server 230 and wireless communication devices in the coveragearea of the particular DMA server included in the third group of DMAservers 224.

In the event of a failure of a particular DMAG, one or more DMAGs maycontrol communications that would otherwise be controlled by the failedDMAG. In an illustrative embodiment, in the event of a failure of thesecond DMAG 204, the first DMAG 202, the third DMAG 206, or anycombination thereof, may control communications related to the secondgroup of DMA servers 222. For example, the first DMAG 202 and the thirdDMAG 206 may control voice traffic, data traffic, signaling, or anycombination thereof, between the one or more legacy networks 210 and thewireless communication devices in the coverage areas the DMA servers230-236.

Each of the DMAGs 202-206 may include redundant registration data withrespect to each other, in order to assume control of communications inresponse to a failure in another one of the DMAGs 202-206. Theregistration data related to a particular DMAG may be redundantly storedin one or more additional DMAGs. In an illustrative, non-limitingembodiment, redundant registration data related to the second DMAG 204may be stored at the first DMAG 202 and the third DMAG 206.

Registration data may identify that a particular DMAG is specified asthe primary node to control communications related to certain DMAservers. In addition, registration data may identify a number of DMAservers that are roaming with respect to a particular DMAG. For example,registration data associated with the second DMAG 204 may identify thatthe second DMAG 204 is the primary node for the DMA servers 230-232 andthat the DMA servers 234-236 are roaming with respect to the DMAG 204.Further, registration data may identify the wireless communicationdevices that are registered with the DMA servers included in aparticular group of DMA servers. To illustrate, registration dataassociated with the second DMAG 204 may identify that the DMA server 230is specified to serve as a primary node to control communicationsrelated to some wireless communication devices registered with the DMAserver 230 and that other wireless communication devices registered withthe DMA server 230 are roaming with respect to the DMA server 230.Registration data related to a particular wireless communication devicemay include an identifier, such as an international mobile subscriberidentification (IMSI), associated with the particular wirelesscommunication device. Additionally, the registration data may includefurther information related to an account associated with a particularwireless communication device.

Additionally, the DMA servers within a particular group of DMA serversmay include redundant registration data needed to route communicationsin response to a failure of a DMA server in the particular group of DMAservers. In an illustrative embodiment, each DMA server of the secondgroup of DMA servers 222 includes registration data identifying one ormore wireless communication devices registered with one or more of theother DMA servers in the second group of DMA servers 222. For example,the DMA server 230 may include registration data identifying wirelesscommunication devices in the coverage area of the DMA server 230 andregistration data identifying wireless communication devices in thecoverage area of the DMA server 232 and in the coverage area of the DMAserver 234. Thus, the DMA server 230 can route voice traffic, datatraffic, or any combination thereof, of wireless communication devicesin the respective coverage areas of the DMA servers 232, 234, if the DMAserver 232 and/or the DMA server 234 fails. To illustrate, if the DMAserver 232 fails, the DMA server 230 can route communications betweenthe second DMAG 204 and the wireless communication devices in thecoverage area of the failed DMA server 232. Additionally, the DMA server230 can route communications between wireless communication devices inthe coverage area of the DMA server 232 at the time of failure. Further,the DMA server 230 can route communications between wirelesscommunication devices in the coverage area of the DMA server 232 andwireless communication devices in the coverage area of other DMA serversof the system 200.

In some embodiments, a communications service provider may specify thatone or more of the DMAGs 202-206 are adapted to route voice traffic,data traffic, and signaling related to wireless communication devicesserved by a particular group of DMA servers. In other embodiments, acommunications service provider may specify that a particular DMAG isadapted to route voice and data traffic related to wirelesscommunications devices served by a particular group of DMA servers,while another DMAG is adapted to handle the signaling related tocommunications associated with wireless communication devices registeredwith the particular group of DMA servers. In an example, the first DMAG202 may be adapted to manage signaling related to communicationsassociated with each group of DMA servers 220-224, while the second DMAG204 and the third DMAG 206 are adapted to control voice traffic and datatraffic related to communications associated with each group of DMAservers 220-224.

Referring to FIG. 3, a third embodiment of a system to control wirelesscommunications is illustrated and is generally designated 300. Thesystem 300 includes a distributed mobile architecture gateway (DMAG) 302that communicates with a distributed mobile architecture (DMA) server304 via a private Internet Protocol (IP) network 306. The DMAG 302includes a processor 308, a memory 310, and a data network interface 312coupled to the private IP network 306. Additionally, the DMAG 302includes a first network interface 314, a second network interface 316,a third network interface 318, and a fourth network interface 320.

The first network interface 314 is adapted to communicate with a firstlegacy network 322. For example, the first legacy network 322 may be alandline voice network, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN), an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), other voicenetwork or any combination thereof. The second network interface 316 isadapted to communicate with a second legacy network 324. For example,the second legacy network 324 may be a landline data network, such as aDigital Subscriber Line (DSL) network, a cable television network,fiber-optic network, other data network or any combination thereof. Thethird network interface 318 is adapted to communicate with a thirdlegacy network 326. For example, the third legacy network 326 may be awireless voice network, such as a Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network,other wireless protocol network, or any combination thereof. The fourthnetwork interface 320 is adapted to communicate with a fourth legacynetwork 328. For example, the fourth legacy network 328 may be awireless data network, such as a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)network, an IEEE 802.16 network, a UNITS network, an evolution dataoptimized (EVDO) network, a one times Radio Transmission Technology(1XRTT) network, a High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) network, other datanetwork, or any combination thereof.

Signaling received via the first network interface 314 from the firstlegacy network 322 may relate to Intelligent Network (IN) signaling,such as Signaling System 7 (SS7), and may include Integrated ServicesDigital Network User Part (ISUP) signaling, Message Transfer Part (MTP)signaling, Signaling Control Connection Part (SCCP) signaling,Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) signaling, TelephoneUser Part (TUP) signaling, Data User Part (DUP), other signalingprotocol, or any combination thereof. Further, signaling received viathe second network interface 316 from the second legacy network 324 mayinclude session initiation protocol (SIP) signaling, H.323 signaling, orany combination thereof. Additionally, signaling received via the thirdnetwork interface 318 from the third legacy network 326 may relate to INsignaling and may include mobile application part (MAP) protocol,American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 41 protocol, customizedapplication of mobile enhanced logic (CAMEL), or any combinationthereof. Signaling received via the fourth network interface 320 fromthe fourth legacy network 328 may include SIP signaling.

Although the first legacy network 322 and the second legacy network 324are shown coupled to separate network interfaces 314 and 316,respectively, the first legacy network 322 and the second legacy network324 may utilize the same infrastructure and may be coupled to a singleinterface. In an illustrative embodiment, the first legacy network 322and the second legacy network 324 may be related to a telephone companycommunications network that carries voice traffic via a circuit-switchedPSTN and data traffic via a packet switched network. The DMAG 302 mayreceive voice traffic and the data traffic from the telephone companycommunications network at a single interface that separates the voicetraffic, the data traffic, signaling information, or any combinationthereof.

Further, although the third legacy network 326 and the fourth legacynetwork 328 are shown coupled to separate network interfaces 318, 320,respectively, the third legacy network 326 and the fourth legacy network328 may utilize the same infrastructure and may be coupled to a singleinterface. In an illustrative embodiment, the third legacy network 326and the wireless data network may be related to a wirelesscommunications provider network that carries voice traffic via a GlobalSystem for Mobile Communications (GSM) network and carries data trafficvia a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network. The DMAG 302 mayreceive voice traffic and data traffic from the wireless communicationsprovider network at a single interface that separates the voice traffic,the data traffic, signaling information, or any combination thereof.

The memory 310 includes one or more gateway modules 330, one or moreconversion modules 332, and a routing module 334. In one embodiment,each of the modules 330-334 represents instructions that are executableby the processor 308, such as instructions embodied in one or moresoftware programs stored at the memory 310. In another embodiment, themodules 330-334 represent hardware, software instructions, firmwareinstructions, logic instructions, or any combination thereof. The DMAG302 also includes register data 336. The register data 336 may be storedat one or more data stores at the DMAG 302. An example of data storesstoring the register data 336 are shown in FIG. 7. The register data 336may include information, such as routing information and registrationinformation, related to one or more DMA servers, such as the DMA server304 that route voice and data traffic via the DMAG 304. Additionally,the register data 336 may include information related to other DMAservers that are served by other DMAGs. Further, the register data 336may include information related to wireless communication devicesregistered with the DMA servers served by the DMAG 302, such as thewireless communication devices 360, 362, 364, and 366 registered andcommunicating with the DMA server 304. The register data 336 may alsoinclude information related to wireless communication devices related toother DMA servers served by other DMAGs.

The one or more gateway modules 330 may be adapted to distribute voicetraffic, data traffic, signaling, or any combination thereof,communicated via the network interfaces 314-320. In a particularembodiment, each of the network interfaces 314-320 is associated with arespective gateway module 330. For example, a first gateway module maybe adapted to communicate voice traffic, signaling, or any combinationthereof, from the first network interface 314. The first gateway modulemay send voice traffic to a corresponding conversion module 332 and sendsignaling to the routing module 334. Additionally, a second gatewaymodule may be adapted to communicate voice traffic, data traffic,signaling, or any combination thereof, from the second network interface316. The second gateway module may send voice traffic and data trafficto a corresponding conversion module 332 and send signaling to therouting module 334. Further, a third gateway module may be adapted tocommunicate voice traffic, signaling, or any combination thereof, fromthe third network interface 318. The third gateway module may send thevoice traffic to a corresponding conversion module 332 and sendsignaling to the routing module 334. The one or more gateway modules 330may also include a fourth gateway module adapted to communicate voicetraffic, data traffic, signaling, or any combination thereof, via thefourth network interface 320. The fourth gateway module may send voicetraffic and data traffic to corresponding conversion modules 332 andsend signaling to the routing module 334. Additionally, the one or moregateway modules 330 may be adapted to communicate voice traffic, datatraffic, signaling, or any combination thereof, from the one or moreconversion modules 332, the routing module 334, or both.

The one or more conversion modules 332 may be adapted to convert voicetraffic, data traffic, or any combination thereof, communicated via thenetwork interfaces 314-320 to Internet Protocol (IP) for transmission toa destination wireless communication device via the private IP network306.

The representative DMA server 304 includes a processor 340, a memory342, a network interface 344 coupled to the private IP network 306, anda device register 346. The memory 342 includes conversion module 348 androuting module 350. The DMA server 304 also includes representative BTSinterfaces 352, 354, 356, and 358. The BTS interface 354 is adapted tocommunicate with first and second wireless communication devices 364 and366 via a representative first base transceiver station (BTS) device360. Additionally, the BTS interface 354 is adapted to communicate withwireless communication devices 368 and 370 via a representative secondbase transceiver station (BTS) device 362.

The network interface 344 is adapted to transmit data packets to theprivate IP network 306 and to receive data packets from the private IPnetwork 306. The device register 346 is adapted to store registrationinformation about the wireless communication devices 364-370 when thewireless communication devices 364-370 first enter the wireless coveragearea of the BTS devices 360-362. The routing module 350 is adapted toroute a call originating from or terminating at the wirelesscommunication devices 364-370. The conversion module 348 is adapted toconvert voice information from an originating call to data packets fortransmission via the private IP network 306 and the DMAG 302 to thelegacy networks 322-328. The BTS interfaces 352-358 are adapted tocontrol one or more BTS devices. In FIG. 2, the second BTS interface 354controls the BTS devices 360-362. The BTS devices 360-362 communicatesignals to the wireless communication devices 364-370 via a wirelessprotocol, such as CDMA, GSM, and UMTS.

In operation, the DMA server 304 routes a call originating from thewireless communications device 360 via the private IP network 306 toanother DMA server (not shown) or to the DMAG 302. When the firstwireless communications device 360 originates a call, the BTS interface348 notifies the routing module 354 that a call requires routing. Therouting module 354 determines a route for the call based on thedestination address of the call. The conversion module 350 converts thecall information to data packets and sends the data packets via thenetwork interface 344 to the private IP network 306 via the networkinterface 344. The private IP network 306 then routes the data packetsto another DMA server (not shown) or to the DMAG 302.

The DMAG 302 communicates the data packets via the data networkinterface 312. The conversion module(s) 330 may convert the data packetsfrom one format to another format based on the characteristics of thelegacy networks 322-328. For example, the conversion module 332 mayconvert the data packets to an analog format when the destination legacynetwork is a landline voice network. The routing module 334 routes thedata packets to one of the legacy networks 322-328 via the networkinterfaces 314-320.

When a call originates from one of the legacy networks 322-328, the callis communicated to one of the network interfaces 314-320. The conversionmodule(s) 332 converts the voice or data call to data packets. Therouting module 334 determines a route for the data packets based on thedestination address of the call and communicates the data packets to thedata network interface 312. The data network interface 312 communicatesthe packets to the DMA server 304 via the private IP network 306.

The DMA server 304 receives the data packets from the private IP network306 via the network interface 306. The routing module 350 determineswhich of the BTS devices 360-362 serves the destination wirelesscommunications device. The data packets are communicated to one of theBTS devices 360-362. For example, when the data packets are destined forwireless communications device 370, the data packets are communicatedvia the second BTS interface 352 to the second BTS device 362 and fromthe second BTS device to the wireless communications device 370.

Referring to FIG. 4, a flow diagram is provided to illustrate a firstmethod of controlling wireless communications. The method may beperformed by a module at a distributed mobile architecture device, suchas the DMA 304 in FIG. 3. At 402, a first call is received at a DMAserver from a first mobile communication device via a first wirelesscommunication protocol. Moving to 404, a second call is received at theDMA server from a second mobile communication device via a secondwireless communication protocol. The first and second wirelesscommunication protocols may be one or more of the GSM protocol, the CDMAprotocol, the UMTS protocol, the WiMAX protocol, other wirelessprotocol, or any combination thereof. Proceeding to 406, voiceinformation associated with the first call is converted to first packetdata and the voice information associated with the second call isconverted to second packet data. The first and second packet data may bein one or more of Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), IP,other packet format, or any combination thereof. Advancing to 408, thefirst packet data and the second packet data are routed via a privateInternet Protocol (IP) network to at least one other DMA device, wherethe first call is accessible to a first destination device and thesecond call is accessible to a second destination device via the otherDMA device(s). In one illustrative embodiment, the other DMA device mayinclude a second DMA server. In a second illustrative embodiment, theother DMA device may include a DMAG. The method ends at 410.

For example, in FIG. 3, when the DMA server 304 receives a first callfrom the first wireless communications device 364 and a second call fromthe third wireless communications device 368, the conversion module 348converts the voice information associated with the first call to firstpacket data and converts the voice information associated with thesecond call to second packet data. The routing module 350 routes thefirst packet data and the second packet data via the private IP network306 to another DMA device, such as another DMA server or a DMAG.

Referring to FIG. 5, a flow diagram is provided to illustrate a secondmethod of controlling wireless communications. The method may beperformed by a module at a distributed mobile architecture device, suchas the DMA 304 in FIG. 3. At 502, packet data corresponding to a call ata first digital mobile architecture (DMA) server is received from asecond DMA device via a private IP network. Moving to 504, a destinationdevice for the call is identified and a first wireless communicationprotocol associated with the destination device is identified. The firstDMA server communicates with a plurality of mobile communication devicesvia a plurality of wireless communication protocols. Continuing to 506,the packet data associated with the call is converted to voiceinformation. For example, a digital-to-analog converter may be used toconvert the packet data to voice information. Advancing to 508, thevoice information is communicated to the destination device via theidentified wireless communication protocol. At 510, if another call isreceived, then the method repeats steps 504-508. If at 510, another callis not received then the method ends at 512.

For example, in FIG. 1, when the third DMA server 120 receives packetdata corresponding to a call at the first DMA server 116 via the IPnetwork 114, the third DMA server 120 identifies that the call isdestined for the fourth wireless communications device 128. The thirdDMA server 120 identifies that the fourth wireless communications device128 is associated with the UMTS wireless protocol. The third DMA server120 converts the packet data associated with the call to voiceinformation and communicates the voice information to the fourthwireless communications device 128 via the UMTS wireless protocol.

Referring to FIG. 6, a flow diagram is provided to illustrate a thirdmethod of controlling wireless communications. The method may beperformed by a module at a distributed mobile architecture device, suchas the DMAG 302 in FIG. 3. At 602, a call is received at a distributedmobile architecture gateway (DMAG). At 604, if the call is from a legacynetwork, then the method proceeds to 606. At 606, the destination deviceand destination DMA server are identified. Continuing to 608, voiceinformation from the call is converted to packet data and the packetdata is routed to the destination DMA server. Advancing to 622, ifanother call is not received, then the method ends at 624.

At 604, if the call is not from a legacy network, then the methodproceeds to 610. At 610 a destination device associated with the call isidentified. Moving to 612, if the destination device is associated witha DMA system then the method proceeds to 614. At 614, the destinationDMA server associated with the destination device is identified.Advancing to 616, packet data associated with the call is routed to thedestination DMA server. Continuing to 622, if another call is notreceived, then the method ends at 624.

At 612, if the destination device is associated with a legacy network,then the method proceeds to 618. Continuing to 618 the packet dataassociated with the call is converted to voice information. Proceedingto 620, the voice information is communicated to the destination devicevia the legacy network. Advancing to 622, if another call is received,then the method proceeds back to 604. At 622, if another call is notreceived, then the method ends at 624.

For example, in FIG. 3, when the DMAG 302 receives a call, the gatewaymodule 334 determines whether the call is from one of the legacynetworks 322-328 or from the DMA server 304. When the call is from oneof the legacy networks 322-328, the conversion module(s) 332 convert thevoice information to packet data and route the packet data to the DMAserver 304 via the private IP network 306. When the call is from the DMAserver 304, the routing module 334 identifies the destination deviceassociated with the call. If the destination device is associated withone of the legacy networks 322-328, then the conversion module(s) 332convert the packet data associated with the call to voice informationand communicate the voice information to the destination device via oneof the legacy networks 322-328. If the destination device is associatedwith the DMA server 304, then the routing module 334 identifies the DMAserver 304 as associated with the destination device and routes thepacket data to the destination server 304 via the private 1P network306.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative embodiment of data associated with a DMAG, inaccordance with FIG. 2. More specifically, the table 700 illustrates thedifferent databases of data that may be utilized by the DMAGs of FIG. 2to provide switching or connection of calls between the legacy networksand the DMA servers of FIG. 2. The data shown in FIG. 7 may increase ordecrease based on the size of the DMA network 200 in FIG. 2. The table700 illustrates different databases 708, 710, 712, 714, 716, and 718each including tables for a home DMAG 702, a second DMAG 704, and thirdDMAG 706, corresponding to DMAG 202, DMAG 204, and DMAG 206 in FIG. 2.The home DMAG 702 is also known as the first DMAG 702.

The DMA server register database 708 includes a home DMA server registerthat identifies the DMA servers which are associated with the first DMAG702. For example, the DMA server register database 708 may identify thefirst group of DMA servers 220 as associated with the first DMAG 202,identify the second group of DMA servers 222 as associated with thesecond DMAG 204, and identify the third group of DMA servers 224 asassociated with the third DMAG 206. In an illustrative embodiment, theDMA server register is implemented as a database.

The DMA server HLR database 710 includes the home location register foreach of the home DMAG 702, the second DMAG 704, and the third DMAG 706.Each home location register of the DMA server HLR database 710 includescalling information for the home mobile stations that are associatedrespectively with the DMAGs 702-706.

The DMA server VLR database 712 includes the visitor location registersfor the DMAGs 702-706. Each visitor location register of the DMA serverHLR database 712 includes calling information for the visitor mobilestations that are associated respectively with the home DMAG 702, thesecond DMAG 704, and the third DMAG 706.

The visitor DMA server register database 714 includes a visitor DMAserver register that identifies visitor DMA servers associated with thehome DMAG 702, a visitor DMA server register of the second DMAG 704identifies visitor DMA servers associated with the second DMAG 704, anda DMA server register of the third DMAG 706 identifies visitor DMAservers associated with the third DMAG 706.

The visitor DMA server HLR database 716 includes the home locationregister for each visitor DMA server of the home DMAG 702, the secondDMAG 704, and the third DMAG 706. The home location register includescalling information for the mobile stations of each visitor DMA serverthat are associated respectively with the first DMAG 702, the secondDMAG 704, and the third DMAG 706.

The visitor DMA server VLR database 718 includes a visitor locationregister for each visitor DMA server of the home DMAG 702, the secondDMAG 704, and the third DMAG 706. Each visitor location registerincludes calling information for the visitor mobile stations of eachvisitor DMA server that are associated respectively with the home DMAG702, the second DMAG 704, and the third DMAG 706.

The table 720 illustrates the different databases of data that may beutilized by the DMAGs of FIG. 2 to provide switching or connection ofcalls between the legacy networks and the DMA servers of FIG. 2. Thetable 720 illustrates different databases 728, 730, 732, 734, 736, and738 each including tables for home DMAG 722, first DMAG 724, and thirdDMAG 726. In table 720, the home DMAG 722 is the second DMAG.

The DMA server register database 728 includes a home DMA server registerthat identifies the DMA servers which are associated with the home DMAG722. For example, the DMA server register database 728 may identify thefirst group of DMA servers 220 in FIG. 2 as associated with the firstDMAG 202, identify the second group of DMA servers 222 as associatedwith the second DMAG 204, and identify the third group of DMA servers224 as associated with the third DMAG 206. In an illustrativeembodiment, the DMA server register is implemented as a database.

The DMA server HLR database 730 includes the home location register foreach of the DMAGs 722-726. Each home location register of the DMA serverHLR database 730 includes calling information for the home mobilestations that are associated respectively with the DMAGs 722-726.

The DMA server VLR database 732 includes the visitor location registersfor the DMAGs 732-736. Each visitor location register of the DMA serverHLR database 732 includes calling information for the visitor mobilestations that are associated respectively with the home (i.e. second)DMAG 722, the first DMAG 724, and the third DMAG 726.

The visitor DMA server register database 734 includes a visitor DMAserver register that identifies visitor DMA servers associated with thefirst DMAG 722, a visitor DMA server register of the home DMAG 724identifies visitor DMA servers associated with the second DMAG 724, anda DMA server register of the third. DMAG 726 identifies visitor DMAservers associated with the third DMAG 726.

The visitor DMA server HLR database 736 includes the home locationregister for each visitor DMA server of the home DMAG 722, the firstDMAG 724, and the third DMAG 726. The home location register includescalling information for the mobile stations of each visitor DMA serverthat are associated respectively with the home DMAG 722, the first DMAG724, and the third DMAG 726.

The visitor DMA server VLR database 738 includes a visitor locationregister for each visitor DMA server of the home DMAG 722, the firstDMAG 724, and the third DMAG 726. Each visitor location registerincludes calling information for the visitor mobile stations of eachvisitor DMA server that are associated respectively with the home DMAG722, the first DMAG 724, and the third DMAG 726.

With the configuration of structure described above, the presentdisclosure provides a system and method of controlling communicationsthrough use of a flexible telecommunications device, i.e., the DMAserver 304 (FIG. 3), that is distributive and associative, i.e., it canoperate stand-alone or seamlessly within an existing cellular or othernetwork. Moreover, the DMA server 304 can be integrated with virtuallyany third party base station. The DMA server 304 can operate withmultiple air interfaces including CDMA IS-95, CDMA 1X, CDMA EVDO, GSM,GPRS, W-CDMA, 802.11 (Wi-fi), 802.16 (Wi-fi), etc. Further, the DMAserver 304 can provide integrated prepaid billing, OAMP, networkmanagement, and AAA functionality. The DMA server 304 can include a Javabased user interface and feature configuration system. Also, the DMAserver 304 can provide real time call metering, call detail record (CDR)generation, and real time call provisioning. The DMA server 304 may beimplemented in a relatively small footprint and has a relatively lowpower requirement. Further, the DMA server 304 may be implemented usinginexpensive and widely available computer equipment.

With one or more of the deployment configurations described above, thepresent system provides mobile to landline calls from mobile handsetswithin a DMA server wireless coverage area. Also, mobile to landlinecalls can be made from mobile handsets roaming into DMA coverage areas.Mobile to mobile calls can be made from home/roaming handsets to DMAhandsets and vice versa. Further, mobile to IP calls and IP to mobilecalls can be made from within a DMA server coverage area. IP to IP callscan be made from any DMA handset to any IP phone. Additionally, IP tolandline calls and landline to IP calls can be made from a DMA handsetto any phone. Further, land-line to mobile calls to DMA handsets can bemade.

The systems described above may be adapted to provide various data andtelephony features by deploying appropriate software and/or hardware.For example, the systems described above may be adapted to provide callforwarding, call waiting, 3-way calling, caller ID, voice mail, andmobile to mobile SMS service, i.e., text messaging. Further, the systemsdescribed above may be adapted to provide broadcast SMS service, mobileto land high-speed IP data (1X or GPRS) service and mobile-to-mobilehigh speed IP data (1X or GPRS) service. Also, the systems describedabove may be adapted to provide IP-PBX capability.

Further, one or more of the illustrated systems can provide IP transportbetween distributed elements, e.g., DMA servers 304 (FIG. 3). Further,the control logic within the DMA server (FIG. 3) can be distributed andassociated. Associated systems can be redundant, self-healing,self-organizing, and scalable. Distributed systems can be“snap-together,” i.e., a DMA server (FIG. 3) can be linked to apreviously deployed DMA server (FIG. 3) in order to broaden, orotherwise extend coverage. Further, distributed systems can bede-centralized to avoid single points of failure.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximumextent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to bedetermined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the followingclaims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited bythe foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving a first call froma first mobile device at a first base transceiver station (BTS)interface of a first distributed mobile architecture (DMA) server,wherein the first call is associated with a destination device;determining that a first distributed mobile architecture gateway (DMAG)supports communication with the destination device based on registrationdata stored at the first DMA server, wherein the registration dataindicates that the destination device is not within a wireless coveragearea associated with the first DMA server, and wherein the first DMAG iscommunicatively coupled to a plurality of DMA servers including thefirst DMA server; converting first voice information associated with thefirst call to first packet data; and routing the first packet data tothe destination device via the first DMAG.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising: receiving a second call from a second mobile deviceat a second BTS interface of the first DMA server, wherein the secondcall is associated with a third mobile device; determining that thefirst DMA server supports communication with the third mobile devicebased on the registration data, wherein the registration data indicatesthat the third mobile device is within the wireless coverage area;converting second voice information associated with the second call tosecond packet data; and routing the second packet data to the thirdmobile device via a third BTS interface.
 3. The method of claim 1,further comprising: in response to a second DMA failing, receiving asecond call from a second mobile device that is associated with thesecond DMA, wherein the second call is associated with a seconddestination device; determining that the first DMAG supportscommunication with the second destination device based on theregistration data, wherein the registration data indicates that thesecond destination device is not within the wireless coverage area;converting second voice information associated with the second call tosecond packet data; and routing the second packet data to the seconddestination device via the first DMAG.
 4. The method of claim 1, whereinthe first call uses a first wireless communication protocol and furthercomprising: receiving a second call from a second mobile device at asecond BTS interface of the first DMA server, wherein the second calluses a second wireless communication protocol that is different from thefirst wireless communication protocol, and wherein the second call isassociated with the destination device; converting second voiceinformation associated with the second call to second packet data; androuting the second packet data to the destination device via the firstDMAG.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first wireless communicationprotocol is a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System protocol, andwherein the second wireless communication protocol is a WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access protocol.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein the first DMAG is in communication with a plurality of legacycommunication networks.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first DMAserver is configured to receive one or more calls while the first DMAserver is moving.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first DMA serveris located within a first coverage area associated with the first DMAGwhen the first call is received.
 9. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: converting additional voice information associated with thecall to additional packet data; in response to determining that thefirst DMA server has moved into a second coverage area associated with asecond DMAG, determining that the second DMAG supports communicationwith the destination device; and routing the additional packet data tothe destination device via the second DMAG.
 10. A method, comprising:receiving a call from a communication device at a distributed mobilearchitecture gateway (DMAG) via a network, wherein the call isassociated with a destination device, wherein the call is routed to theDMAG from a first distributed mobile architecture (DMA) server inresponse to the first DMA server determining that the DMAG supportscommunication with the destination device based on first registrationdata stored at the first DMA server, wherein the first registration dataindicates that the destination device is not within a first wirelesscoverage area associated with the first DMA server; determining that asecond DMA server supports wireless communication with the destinationdevice based on second registration data stored at the DMAG, wherein theDMAG is communicatively coupled to a plurality of DMA servers includingthe first DMA server and the second DMA server; converting informationassociated with the call to packet data; and routing the packet data tothe destination device via the second DMA server.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising: in response to a second DMAG failing,receiving a second call from a second communication device, wherein thesecond call is associated with a second destination device, and whereinthe second communication device is associated with the second DMAG;determining that a third DMA supports wireless communication with thesecond destination device based on the second registration data;converting second voice information associated with the second call tosecond packet data; and routing the second packet data to the seconddestination device via the first DMAG.
 12. The method of claim 10,wherein the second registration data indicates that the DMAG is a nodethat controls communications related to the first DMA server and that asecond DMAG controls communications related to a third DMA server. 13.The method of claim 10, wherein the second registration data stored atthe DMAG indicates that the second DMA server is associated with asecond wireless coverage area, and wherein the second registration dataindicates that the destination device is within the second wirelesscoverage area.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: inresponse to determining that the destination device has moved from thesecond wireless coverage area into a third wireless coverage areaassociated with a third DMA server, determining that the third DMAserver supports communication with the destination device based on thesecond registration data stored at the DMAG; and routing additionalpacket data to the destination device via the third DMA server.
 15. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprisinginstructions, that when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:receive a call from a communication device at a distributed mobilearchitecture gateway (DMAG) via a network, wherein the call isassociated with a destination device, wherein the call is routed to theDMAG from a first distributed mobile architecture (DMA) server inresponse to the first DMA server determining that the DMAG supportscommunication with the destination device based on first registrationdata stored at the first DMA server, wherein the first registration dataindicates that the destination device is not within a first wirelesscoverage area associated with the first DMA server; determine that asecond DMA server supports communication with the destination devicebased on second registration data stored at the DMAG, wherein the DMAGis communicatively coupled to a plurality of DMA servers including thefirst DMA server and the second DMA server; and convert informationassociated with the call to packet data to be routed to the destinationdevice via the second DMA server.
 16. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the instructionsfurther cause the processor to receive a second call at the DMAG from athird DMA server, wherein the call uses a first wireless communicationprotocol, and wherein the second call uses a second wirelesscommunication protocol that is different from the first wirelesscommunication protocol.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 16, wherein the instructions further cause the processorto determine that a legacy network supports communication with a seconddestination device associated with the second call based on the secondregistration data.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 17, wherein-the instructions further cause the processorto convert second information associated with the second call to secondpacket data to be routed to the second destination device via the legacynetwork.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 15, wherein the DMAG supports communication with the network via afirst network interface.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 19, wherein the DMAG supports communication withat least one additional network via at least one additional networkinterface.